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Infiltrating lobular carcinoma. Is it different from infiltrating duct carcinoma?
M J Silverstein1, B S Lewinsky, J R Waisman
1Breast Center, Van Nuys, CA 91405.
Cancer
|March 15, 1994
Summary
Infiltrating lobular carcinomas (ILC) show favorable prognostic factors and better survival rates compared to infiltrating duct carcinomas (IDC). Radiation therapy is effective for ILC treatment, improving outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Breast Cancer Research
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Infiltrating lobular carcinomas (ILC) comprise about 10% of all breast cancers.
- Prognosis and treatment data for ILC, especially regarding radiation therapy, are limited and mixed compared to infiltrating duct carcinomas (IDC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the clinical, pathological, and survival data of patients with ILC and IDC.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of radiation therapy in treating ILC.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical, pathological, and survival data.
- Comparison of 161 ILC patients with 1138 IDC patients.
Main Results:
- ILCs were larger, harder to excise completely, and clinically challenging to diagnose.
- ILC patients demonstrated more favorable prognostic factors, including lower nodal positivity (32% vs. 37% for IDC).
- ILC patients had significantly better 7-year disease-free survival (74% vs. 63%) and breast cancer-specific survival (83% vs. 77%) than IDC patients. Patients with ILC treated with radiation therapy showed improved DFS and BCSS compared to IDC patients receiving radiation therapy.
Conclusions:
- ILCs are typically homogeneous, low-grade tumors that can be difficult to detect due to less pronounced desmoplastic reactions.
- Successful treatment of ILC is achievable with both mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery followed by radiation therapy.
- Radiation therapy demonstrates efficacy in improving outcomes for ILC patients.